Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17733, John Dunsmore, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Dunsmore, John Phebe
W 17733
CONTENTS

Vermont - 3,053
Phoebe Dicksmore, widow of John Dicksmore, Mass who died on the 17 th November 1815, Windsor in the State of Vermont who was a Pen. & Pen. in the Company commanded Captain Lewis of the Reg t commanded Burlington in the A rty for 19 mos 14 dys
Enrolled on the Roll of Montpelier the rate of 66 Dollars 33 Cents per annum commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Sept r 39, and sent to Col Billings, Woodstock, Vt
Decurs to the 14th of Sept r - $563.80 Semi-annual allowance ending 33.16 $596.96
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by R. Burdick Clerk Vol. 2 - Page 35

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } Littleton Town County of Middlesex ss. } Clerk's Office Jan 6 1839
I James Kimball in and for the town of Littleton County and State aforesaid make the following extract from the records of marriages in said town - November ninth one thousand seven hundred seventy eight John Dinsmore and Phebe Robbins both of Littleton were joined in marriage by Jonathan Reed Justice Peace as by said Reed's certificate
I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows - November 9 th 1778 John Dinsmore and Phebe Robbins both of Littleton were joined in marriage by Jonathan Reed Justice Peace as by said Reed's certificate
I James Kimball above named upon and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the town County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the above exception as certified by me
James Kimball Clerk of I sworn before me the town of Littleton aforesaid
Benj m Dix Justice of the Peace

4626
Sheba (Dunsmore)
Yt
Act 4 July '36
m Nov. 78 - d 15-
  14-18. in 75-  for 7-1 day    2. 216. 77.  - 2 9    20. 100. 77.  - 1. 3.    - 96. -  - 3. 12.    1. 63. 78  for 5. 16  
adm'd
13 mo. 25 d pri
5. 16 (for)
66. 33
no education
Oil Billings (Woodstock)
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State of Vermont Heartland District Windsor County
On this second Day of May A 1839. Personally appeared before the Hon. the Probate Court of the District aforesaid Phebe Dunsmore a resident of Heartland in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont. Aged seventy seven years who being first sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836; That she is the Widow of John Dunsmore late of Heartland aforesaid deceased, who was a private and Corporal in the Army of the Revolution and served as hereafter mentioned to wit,
In May 1775. her said husband volunteered in the company commanded by Capt Samuel Gilbert of Littleton Mass. for the term of Eight months as private in Col. Prescotts Regiment as she believes and served his time out and was stationed nigh Boston Mass.
In the Year 1776. He was out Six months at Saratoga and Tienderoga but under what officers she cannot now remember — On the first of May 1777 He volunteered for two months in the company of Lieut John Porter of Littleton aforesaid, and went to Rhode Island and in said company was Peter Wright and Dan t Robbins who are now drawing a pension — at which time he was private
Also on the first day of July 1777. He enlisted at Littleton aforesaid. in Capt Aaron Jewetts Company in Col. Cushings Regiment for three three months as private and was marched to Bennington Vermont and was at Bennington Battle and was discharged the 29 th day of August 1777. and on the same day enlisted again for three months as private in said Jewetts Company in Col Bullards Regiment and was at the taking of Gen t Burgoyne in October and was discharged the 29 th day of November 1777. and was allowed pay for eleven days more, to return home, and Stephen Pingree was in service the two last tours above, and is now drawing a pension, and returned home with him
The first day of July 1778. He again enlisted or was hired by the town of Littleton Mass as Corporal for the term of six months in the

company commanded by Capt Boyington and as she believes in Col Wades Regiment and was marched to Rhode Island and in said company was Peter Wheeler of said Littleton, and previous to her said husbands enlisting this last time, he assisted in taking some Smugglers Piries and counterfeiters, by the name of Hoar's and they were brought before a Court, examined, and were bound over for trial and her said husband was recognized as a witness to appear at said trial, and she was promised by the officer who enlisted as aforesaid, that he should have a furlough to come and attend said Court should he enlist, and accordingly about the 1 st of Nov 1778 he took a furlough and came home to Littleton to attend to said Court, and they were then Married on the 9 th day of November 1778, and in about a week after her said husband returned to the army again and stayed his time out, when he was discharged the last day of December 1778 and returned home with Peter Wheeler who was discharged at the same time and came home with her husband.
She further declares that she was married to the said John Dunsmore at Littleton Mass on 9 th day of November 1778 and that her name before Marriage was Phebe Robbins, that her husband the aforesaid John Dunsmore died on the 17 th day of November 1815 and that she has not since intermarried but has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed, and that she has no document- ary evidence in her possession or testimony except such as accompanies this declaration. After her marriage aforesaid she removed to Washington N.H. and lived in 1783 and lived five years, then removed to Hartland aforesaid where she has resided ever since, for which service she claims a pension
Franklin Wood
Phebe her Dunsmore marks
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first before written
Before John S. May Judge

State of Vermont Hartford District Franklin County
Be it remembered that before me Col Billings a Justice of the Peace and Register of the Court of Probate for the district of Hartford aforesaid, personally appeared John R. Dinsmore of Hartland, County and State aforesaid, and made solemn oath that he was well acquainted with John Dinsmore late of Hartland deceased, and with his wife Phebe Dinsmore, and that said John Dinsmore died at Hartland aforesaid on the seventeenth day of November 1815, and left his said wife a widow who has remained ever since his death to the present time the Widow of said John Dinsmore and is now living with him in said Hartland, and is the same person who has signed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration. And I further say that I am now fifty eight years old and the son of said John Dinsmore and the oldest child of his family, now living, and further say not. J. M c R. Dinsmore
Sworn to this 8 th day of July, 1839 Before me Col Billings Justice of the Peace & Register
I further certify that John R. Dinsmore is a credible witness Col Billings Register
I Col. Billings Register of the Court of Probate of the District of Hartford, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Phebe Dinsmore for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8 th Day of July 1839 Col Billings Register

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C., Dec 2, 1893
Sir In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of John Dinsmore, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you please find below the desired information as contained in the application for pension on file in this Bureau. by his widow 8,17733
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 1775 8 mos Pri Samuel Gilbert Prescott Mas   May 1777 2 " " John Minett - - - - - "   from July 1777 2 tours 4 1/2 mos " Charn Jewett Cushing & Ballard "   June 1778 6 mos Corpl Joseph Boyington Wade "  
Battles engaged in, Siege of Boston, Bennington & Capture of Burgoyne, Island of Rhode Island -
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Littleton, Middlesex County, Mass
Date of application for pension, by widow May 1839
Residence at date of application, of widow Hartland, Windsor County Vt
Age at date of application of widow 77 years - He died in Hartland Vt Nov. 17, 1815
Remarks: Married at Littleton Mass Nov 9, 1778 to Phoebe Robbins - Moved 1783 to Washington, Sullivan County N H, then 1788-9 to Hartland Vt
Very respectfully,
Mr C. A. Dinsmore 63 Maple Ave Willimantic Conn
Commissioner.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17733
Sheila Dunsmore Widow of John Dunsmore Coop New War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. IV , Page 200
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jan. 194 Mil. Post. to G. A. Duncum 63 Maple Ave., Willimantic, Conn.

Woodstock Vt. July. 8. 1839
Hon. J. S. Edwards
Sir I forward enclosed with this, the Declaration and testimony of Phebe Dawsone for a pension under the Act of July 4. 1836 and hope for a return in due season
I am Respectfully Your Ob't. Hum't. Servant Oel Billings

I Stephen Parizeau of Groton, County of Middlesex, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age do testify and say; that I lived in Littleton, County and Commonwealth aforesaid, at the time of the Revolution, in Sixteen Hundred and Seventy-five, that John Dunsmane was then an inhabitant of Littleton, I was well acquaint- -ed with him lived near to him, then he enlisted in Capt. Sam l Gilberts Company in the first eight- -months service, I saw him while at Cambridge, and several times when he came home on a furlough, that he continued in the service eight months, I saw him when returned from Cambridge, It was well known that he was one of the eight months soldiers, I further testify and say that I have this day examined the Muster of Capt. Aaron Grewett, who was Capt. of the Water militia in Littleton at the time the War commenced, and find John Dunsmane name on the list, of those that were raised in the first eight months service, in Capt. Sam l Gilberts Company I further testify and say; that I was out with John Dunsmane at the Beningtons alarm to Waltham, I served with him two months, under Capt. Aaron Grewett, and in Col o Russions Regiment, and at the close of the two months, I enlisted with John Dunsmane, in Capt. Aaron Grewett Company, and was transferred to Col o Ballards Regiment, for the term of three months, and I was in the Army with John Dunsmane the above five months; as will appear by the records of the said Capt. Grewett, which I have this day examined. The day before the Battle at Benington I and John Dunsmane, were on the March to Stillwater;

The night after the Battle, we were ordered to Burlington, and advised there the day after the Battle, continued there till the prisoners were sent away, and then we went to Hillsboro, where was there at the taking of Burlington Army, after that we went to New-York and stayed there till our term expired, farther than that I cannot say.
Grafton April 22 d 1839
Stephen Pingrey
Witnesses for April 22 d 1839
Personally appeared the above named
Stephen Pingrey and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Affidavit before me Benjamin D. Dake
This may certify, that I have been acquainted with Stephen Pingrey for more than thirty years; that he is a man of truth and uprightness, and has that character whenever he is known.
April 22 d 1839
Benjamin Dake Just. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss.
I, Isaac Biscoe Register of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Middlesex do hereby certify that Benjamin Dinsmore is a true copy of the Probate within said County of Middlesex duly commissioned & qualified and that his signatures written on the foregoing Papers are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this thirteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty nine
Isaac Biscoe Reg r

I Peter Wright of Littleton County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify and say that I was out in the Army at Rhode Island in May 1847 and served two months. Capt. John Miret was Capt. and John Parley Lieut. and according to my best recollection John Danson was with us and continued the term of two months and left the Army at the same time with me. I have not any doubt but he was there according to my recollection and further the deponent saith not.
May 4 th 1839
Peter Wright
Personally appeared the above named Peter Wright and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit before me. Benjamin Dinsmore
I hereby certify that I have had personal acquaintance with the above named Peter Wright for more than twenty years, that he is a Man of Truth and uprightness, and correct and careful in all his business.
May 4 th 1839
Benjamin Dinsmore

I Peter Wheeler of Boxboro in the County of Middlesex & State of Massachusetts of lawful age do testify & say that in the years of the Revolution I lived in the Town of Littleton in said state and was familiarly acquainted with John Denson then living in said Town that in June 1778 I enlisted with the said Denson & others for six months we went to Rhode Island which term of service commenced according to my best recollection the 1 st of July & I well remember that our term of service was out the last day of December & we started for home about midwinter & that the said John Denson served us & was a corporal of our company which was commanded by Joseph Boynton capt. and belonged to the Reg of Col. Wade I think (if my memory serves me) there is now present before me the original Recd that Capt. Aaron Swift of Littleton when in it is Recd John Weatherbee was hired by the Town of Littleton & sent to Rhode Island by Capt. Swift, which serves to refresh my memory & helps me to recollect things more minutely, we were in Gen. Sullivan's Brigade, & retreated off the Island with him I well remember that corporal Denson was present at that engagement, & after our retreat off the Island we went to Quidniss Point - 12 or 15 Miles from Providence at which place we were stationed till our term of service expired & I also further say that the said John Denson was out at several previous times, but was not present with him at any other time on my self - & further the deponent saith not
Peter Wheeler
Midvale 30 April 22 d . 1839
Hereby appears the above named Peter Wheeler and made oath to the above affidavit by him subscribed,
I further certify that the said Peter Wheeler is a respectable man and entitled to credit. Benjamin D. Dix Benjamin D. Dix

Who may certify that I am well acquainted with Peter Wheeler and that he is a Man of Truth and full Credit may be given to his Affidavit -
April 2 d . 1839
Benj m D r

P Williamstown, Conn.
Nov. 29 th 1893.
Hon. John D. Sleeper.
Commission of Pensions,
Dear Sir:
Through an representative the Hon. Chas. Russell I received from your office a statement of the record of one John Densmore, a Revolutionary Soldier. I sought the information in order that I might join the Sons of the Revolution. Further investigation shows that the John Densmore, whose record you kindly let me have, was not my ancestor. My Great Grandfather, John Densmore was married in 1778 while he was in the service. His home was in Littleton, or Harvard, Mass. He died in Hartland, Vermont Nov. 15, 1815. His

Widow, beginning with 1844 or 45 - drew a pension of eight dollars a month, with about six hundred dollars back pay. She died in 1848.
Have you any record of that pension, and can you give me any additional facts? If you will kindly assist me in this matter, I shall be grateful.
Very truly yours -
Chas. A. Dinsmore,
63 Maple Ave.
Willimantic,
Conn.